Table 6.1 includes data on the variation in opinions across different groups of
Americans, as measured in the General Social Survey (GSS). The table shows group
differences on three broad questions: hiring preferences for African Americans, access
to abortions, and free speech. There are sharp differences among groups on some
questions. For example, people of different education levels respond very differently
to both questions about abortion and free speech—however, education has little to do
with opinions about affirmative action.
These data indicate that group characteristics can be important predictors of some
of an individual’s opinions, but they are not the whole story.^22 Because Americans’
opinions are also a product of their socialization and life experiences, their group
characteristics may tell us something about their opinions on some issues but reveal
little about their thoughts on other issues.Politicians and Other Political Actors
Opinions and changes in opinion are also subject to influence by politicians and
other political actors, including political parties and party leaders; interest groups;
and leaders of religious, civic, and other large organizations. In part, this link exists
because Americans look to these individuals for information based on their presumedThe Importance
of GroupsTABLE
6.1“Favor preferences
in hiring blacks”
(percentage who
strongly support
or support)“Abortions OK
if woman wants
one for any rea-
son” (percentage
who agree)“OK to allow
anti-American
Muslim cleric to
speak” (percent-
age who agree)
Gender Male 16.8% 41.3% 48.8%
Female 18.8 39.8 38.4
Age 18–30 20.4 42.1 42.9
31–4 0 16.7 44.1 42.8
41–55 1 7.9 42.4 46.0
56–89 16.4 34.5 41.2
Education Less than high
school28.0 26.2 21.5
High school 16.1 39.4 3 7. 6
Bachelor’s degree 14.3 53.1 5 7. 0
Advanced degree 25.1 61.1 63.0
Race White 12.6 43.6 49. 2
African-American 42.8 40.8 35.1
Latino 22.6 30.7 26.7
Other 26.1 47.7 33.4
Family Income Low 23.1 34.5 32.8
Lower middle 1 7. 4 3 7. 1 42.5
Higher middle 14.0 3 7. 8 4 4 .9
High 15.0 41.3 56.1The General Social Survey (GSS) has
been conducted since 1972 to assess
the opinions of Americans on certain
key issues. Those who take the surveys
are asked to indicate if they agree
or disagree with statements such as
those shown in the table. The percent-
ages indicate those who agree with the
statements. Group differences based
on such factors as gender, age, race,
and family income have been shown
to affect the answers given by the
respondents.
Source: 2016 Data from General Social
Survey 1972–2016, Cumulative Datafile,
Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA)
at UC Berkeley, http://sda.berkeley.edu
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